Let me explain. I've seen so many relationship posts that say that real relationships are forged on authenticity, as well as a desire to be vulnerable with the other person.

However, what people don't understand is that I used to be an open book, and the ways of the world taught me that being an open book would leave me open to being manipulated against and misunderstood in the future. So I try to remain as authentic and kind as I possibly can, while also not revealing certain aspects of myself to the world, except to those within my closest circles.

I don't want to change myself for someone else: I want to maintain my integrity, my character that I am known for, and a certain degree of closed-ness, but at the same time, this unbearable romantic (in the most poetic sense of the word) loneliness haunts me.

Has any other ENFJ faced this, or is facing this currently? I'd love to hear your insights.